A nurse in an emergency room is caring for a client who sustained partial-thickness burns to both lower legs, chest, face, and both forearms. Which of the following is the priority action the nurse should take?
Administer intravenous pain medication.
Draw blood for a complete blood cell (CBC) count.
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Inspect the mouth for signs of inhalation injuries.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because administering intravenous pain medication is not the priority action for a client who has sustained partial-thickness burns. Pain medication may be indicated for pain relief and comfort, but it does not address the potential life-threatening complications of burns such as shock, infection, or respiratory distress.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because drawing blood for a CBC count is not the priority action for a client who has sustained partial-thickness burns. A CBC count may be useful to monitor the hematological status and detect any signs of infection or anemia, but it does not address the immediate needs of the client
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not the priority action for a client who has sustained partial-thickness burns. A urinary catheter may be necessary to measure the urine output and assess the renal function and fluid balance, but it does not address the most urgent problem of the client.
Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because inspecting the mouth for signs of inhalation injuries is the priority action for a client who has sustained partial-thickness burns. Inhalation injuries are caused by inhaling hot air, smoke, or toxic gases that damage the airway and lungs. They can cause airway obstruction, bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, or respiratory failure. Therefore, the nurse should inspect the mouth for signs such as soot, singed nasal hairs, burns on the lips or tongue, hoarseness, stridor, or wheezes. The nurse should also monitor the oxygen saturation and arterial blood gases to assess the oxygenation and ventilation status of the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because the client is not unconscious, as the GCS score ranges from 3 to 15, with 3 being the lowest possible score and indicating deep coma or death.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because the client can follow simple motor commands, as the GCS score for best motor response is 5, which means the client can localize pain by moving his limbs away from the source of stimulation.To interpret the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score provided in the scenario:Eye Opening (E): 3 - The client opens their eyes in response to verbal stimuli.Best Verbal Response (V): 5 - The client is oriented and able to engage in coherent conversation.Best Motor Response (M): 5 - The client can localize pain or follow motor commands (depending on additional context). The total GCS score would be 3 + 5 + 5 = 13, indicating a mild level of impairment or responsiveness.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because the client is able to make vocal sounds, as the GCS score for best verbal response is 5, which means the client can orient himself to person, place, and time.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because the client does not open his eyes when spoken to, as the GCS score for eye opening is 3, which means the client only opens his eyes in response to pain.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because providing a brightly lit environment may stimulate the client and increase the intracranial pressure. A brightly lit environment is an environment that has a high level of illumination or brightness. It may be used for clients who have depression, seasonal affective disorder, or insomnia, but it does not help to reduce the intracranial pressure.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because teaching controlled coughing and deep breathing may increase the intrathoracic pressure and increase the intracranial pressure. Controlled coughing and deep breathing are techniques that help to clear the airway and improve lung expansion. They may be used for clients who have respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or postoperative complications, but they do not help to reduce the intracranial pressure.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because encouraging a minimum intake of 2000 mL (67.5 oz) of clear fluids per day may cause fluid overload and increase the intracranial pressure. Fluid overload is a condition in which the body has too much fluid, which can impair the function of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Therefore, restricting fluid intake and using diuretics may be indicated for clients who have increased intracranial pressure.
Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because elevating the head of the bed 20° may help to improve the venous drainage and decrease the intracranial pressure. As explained above, positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's or high-Fowler's position can facilitate breathing and prevent further complications. However, elevating the head of the bed more than 30° may decrease the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), which is the difference between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the intracranial pressure (ICP). A normal CPP range is 70 to 100 mm Hg, and a low CPP (<50 mm Hg) can cause cerebral ischemia, herniation, or death. Therefore, elevating the head of the bed to a moderate angle (20°) may be optimal for clients who have increased ICP.
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